Printing device

ABSTRACT

A printing device for printing labels comprising: a memory for storing one or more character sets, each character set including at least a principle character and an additional character which is associated with the principle character; user input means having character selection keys for selecting a character set to define an image to be printed by the printing device; and a controller for accessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printed which correspond to characters selected at the user input means; wherein actuation of a character selection key selects the principle character in the selected character set and maintaining activation of the character selection key for a predetermined time period selects the associated additional character.

This application claims priority to Great Britain Application No.GB0418897.5, filed Aug. 24, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a printing device and in particular butnot exclusively to a tape printing device for printing an image on atape.

BACKGROUND

Known tape printing apparatus of the type with which the presentinvention is concerned are disclosed in EP-A-322918 and EP-A-322919(Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha) and EP-A-267890 (Varitronic). Theprinters each include a printing device having a cassette receiving bayfor receiving a cassette or tape holding case. In EP-A-267890, the tapeholding case houses an ink ribbon and a substrate tape, the lattercomprising an upper image receiving layer secured to a backing layer byan adhesive. In EP-A-322918 and EP-A-322919, the tape holding casehouses an ink ribbon, a transparent image receiving tape and a doublesided adhesive tape which is secured at one of its adhesive coated sidesto the image tape after printing and which has a backing layer peelablefrom its other adhesive coated side. With both these apparatus, theimage transfer medium (ink ribbon) and the image receiving tape(substrate) are in the same cassette.

It has also been proposed by the present applicants in, for example,EP-A-578372 to house the ink ribbon and the substrate tape in separatecassettes.

In all of these cases, the image receiving tape passes in overlap withthe ink ribbon to a print zone consisting of a fixed print head and aplaten against which the print head can be pressed to cause an image totransfer from the ink ribbon to the image receiving tape. There are manyways of doing this, including dry lettering or dry film impression, butthe most usual way currently is by thermal printing where the print headis heated and the heat causes ink from the ink ribbon to be transferredto the image receiving tape.

The devices of the type described above are provided with a keyboardwhich enables a user to enter characters, symbols and the like to forman image to be printed by the tape printer. The keyboard usually hastext character keys and number keys for entering letters and number keysrespectively, plus some function keys which, among other things, operatemenus and allow printing attributes to be set.

For a printer to be used with the English language, a maximum of 26 textcharacter keys are required, one for each letter of the alphabet.However, if the printer is to be used with other European languages,provision must be made to allow the user to specify letters withaccents. For example, in the French language, “é” and “è” are requiredin addition to the ordinary “e”. In some European languages, asignificant number of accented characters are required. This results inat least two problems.

Firstly, many machines are provided with additional text character keysto the standard 26 within the keyboard so as to enable the user toeasily select the accented characters. This results in more space beingtaken up on the keyboard with text character keys, which means either alarger keyboard is required, which may not be convenient, particularlyfor a compact hand-held machine, and/or less space is available on thekeyboard for function keys, which means that more keystrokes may berequired to execute certain functions. Alternatively, the user may needto use a large number of keystrokes to access menus to enable selectionof the required character, which is time consuming and complicated forthe user.

Secondly, different accented characters are required for differentEuropean languages, which can mean that different keyboards are requiredfor the same machine in dependence on the country in which it is to besold. This makes manufacture more complicated and expensive.Furthermore, different memory chips and microprocessors may be requiredfor different countries which provide the different menu sequences andstore different sets of characters. Again, this complicates manufactureand increases production costs.

It would be desirable to provide a printer which enables a user toaccess accented characters in a number of European languages using asmall number of straightforward keystrokes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda printing device for printing labels comprising:

-   -   a memory for storing one or more character sets, each character        set including at least a principle character and an additional        character which is associated with the principle character;    -   user input means having character selection keys for selecting a        character set to define an image to be printed by the printing        device; and    -   a controller for accessing characters from the memory to be        displayed and printed which correspond to characters selected at        the user input means;    -   wherein actuation of a character selection key selects the        principle character in the selected character set and        maintaining activation of the character selection key for a        predetermined time period allows selection of the associated        additional character.

The character can be selected for display and printing automatically onrelease of the key after the predetermined period, or can be displayedand selected by depression of a separate enter key. That is, maintainingactivation of the character selection key allows the character to beselected.

Often, further additional characters are associated with the principlecharacter and subsequent activation of the character selection key,after the character selection key is released after said predeterminedtime period, allows selection of said further additional characters.

Conveniently, maintaining activation of the character selection key fora predetermined time period selects the associated additional character.In this case, when further additional characters are associated with theprinciple character, maintaining activation of the character selectionkey for further predetermined time periods may select the furtheradditional characters.

Conveniently, the printing device further comprises a display configuredto display selected characters.

Usually, there is a single one of said character sets associated witheach one of said character selection keys.

Preferably, the principle characters are letters and the additionalcharacter is an accented version of the letter with which it isassociated.

Preferably, the further additional characters are accented versions ofthe letter with which they are associated and are different from theadditional character.

More preferably, different character sets comprise additional charactershaving different accents and further additional characters havingdifferent accents, and a different number of further additionalcharacters.

The printing device may advantageously comprise a caps lock key, whereinif the caps lock key is activated, subsequent activation of one or morecharacter keys selects uppercase letters. Preferably, the caps lock keyis a toggle key such that if the caps lock key is activated again,subsequent activation of one or more character keys selects lowercaseletters.

The printing device may advantageously comprise a shift key, wherein ifthe shift key is held activated, subsequent activation of one or morecharacter keys selects uppercase letters.

Suitably, the memory stores a plurality of character groups, eachcharacter group comprising one or more character sets. It is usual forthe principle characters of different groups to be identical.Furthermore, the principle characters in different groups can haveadditional characters and further additional characters associated withthem which have different accents from those associated with theprincipal characters of other groups and different numbers of furtheradditional characters.

Preferably, some principle characters of some groups have no additionalcharacter associated with them and these principle characters differbetween groups.

Conveniently, the character sets of each character group include analphabet and the additional characters and further additional charactersare accented versions of the principle characters which exist in thealphabet which the character sets include. Suitably, each alphabetcorresponds to a different language.

Preferably, the user input means further comprises a group selection keyfor choosing a character group from which to create an image.

Conveniently, the display is further configured, before the end of thepredetermined time period, to temporarily display the character whichwould be selected if the maintaining activation did not occur.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of printing characters on a label comprising the steps of:

-   -   storing in a memory one or more character sets, each character        set including at least a principle character and an additional        character which is associated with the principle character;    -   using character selection keys, selecting a character set to        define an image to be printed by the printing device; and    -   accessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printed        which correspond to characters selected;    -   wherein actuation of a character selection key selects the        principle character in the selected character set and        maintaining activation of the character selection key in a        predetermined time frame selects the associated additional        character.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda printing device for printing labels comprising:

-   -   a memory for storing one or more character sets, each character        set including at least a principle character and an additional        character which is associated with the principle character;    -   user input means having character selection keys for selecting a        character set to define an image to be printed by the printing        device; and    -   a controller for accessing characters from the memory to be        displayed and printed which correspond to characters selected at        the user input means;    -   wherein a character selection key has a first mode of operation        in which said principle character associated with said character        selection key is selected and a second mode of operation in        which an additional character associated with the principle        character can be selected.

Preferably, said second mode is entered by activation of said characterselection key for a predetermined time. In said second mode only said atleast one additional character may be selectable. Alternatively, in saidsecond mode, at least one additional character and said principlecharacter may be selectable.

Conveniently, in said second mode a list of available characters isdisplayed. Preferably, said list of available characters are displayedin turn. More preferably, said list of available characters aredisplayed in turn if activation of said character selection key ismaintained. Alternatively, said list of available characters aredisplayed in turn with the character displayed changing with eachactivation of said character selection key.

Conveniently, a display is provided, said display having a region inwhich a plurality of characters associated with said character selectionkey are displayed.

Preferably, a display is provided having an edit region for displayingthe character currently available for selection resulting from saidactivation of said character selection key and at least one other regionfor displaying at least one other character associated with saidcharacter selection key.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, theaccompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention and as to how thesame may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way ofexample to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the front part of the casing of aprinting device;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first tape printing device embodying thepresent invention using a two cassette system;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second tape printing device embodying thepresent invention, using a one cassette system;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the print head of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the control circuitry for theprinting device of FIG. 2 or of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating some of the control components of theprinting device in greater detail; and

FIG. 7 shows some of the elements of FIG. 6 in more detail;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the front part of the casing of analternative printing device;

FIG. 9 is a timing diagram for keypresses;

FIG. 10 is another example of a timing diagram for keypresses;

FIG. 11 is a further example of timing diagram for keypresses;

FIG. 12 is yet another example of a timing diagram for keypresses; and

FIG. 13 is still another example of a timing diagram for keypresses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT(S)

In the figures, like reference numerals indicate like parts. FIG. 1illustrates the front of a tape printing device. Reference numeral 70denotes the casework of the printer. The front of the printer carries aliquid crystal display (LCD) 108 and a keyboard 106 having a pluralityof cursor control keys 74, a plurality of function keys 76, only two ofwhich are illustrated in FIG. 1, and a plurality of character selectingkeys 78, only six of which are illustrated in FIG. 1. There is providedone key for each letter of the alphabet, and one key for each numberfrom 0 to 9 and there may be additional keys such as operand keys andpunctuation keys. Thus the keyboard 106 is used for inputting charactersto the tape printing device. This could be achieved with other inputmeans, for example a touch pad or a touch screen. The function keysinclude a return key, a save key, a recall key, a delete key, an editkey, a shift key, a caps lock key, a language key and a print key. As isknown, combinations of keys can be used in place of individual keys foreach function. The display can display two lines of text. Otherembodiments may be able to display more or less than two lines of text.The display is illustrated displaying the two line label (L1) ESSELTE(first line) FILE 126 (second line). As is known, the characterselecting keys 78 allow characters to be selected by a user to formulatelabels to be printed. The term “characters” in the following refers tonumerals, symbols, icons, background patterns, barcodes and similar aswell as text characters, which together may make up an image to beprinted on a label. The function keys 76 allow different functions to beimplemented, and in effect control the operational modes of the printer.In particular, the use of the language function key will be describedbelow.

The printer operates with a supply of tape on which images are printed.Lengths of the tape are cut off after a label has been printed. The tapeis housed in a cassette which is held in a cassette bay on the undersideof the printer. The cassette could be located in a different location asnecessary.

Typically, this tape printing device 1 is a hand held or small desk topdevice which is powered by batteries at least part of the time.

FIG. 2 shows in plan view, with the outer casing depicted in FIG. 1removed, the first tape printing device embodying the present inventionwhich has two cassettes arranged therein. The upper cassette 2 islocated in a first cassette receiving portion 26 and contains a supplyof image receiving tape 4 which passes through a print zone 3 of thetape printing device 1 to an outlet 5 of the tape printing device 1. Theimage receiving tape 4 comprises an upper layer for receiving a printedimage on one of its surfaces and has its other surface coated with anadhesive layer to which is secured a releasable backing layer. The uppercassette 2 has a recess for accommodating a platen 8 of the tapeprinting device 1, and guide portions 22 and 24 for guiding the tapethrough the print zone 3. The platen 8 is mounted for rotation within acage moulding 10. Alternatively, the platen could be mounted forrotation on a pin.

The lower cassette 11 is located in a second cassette receiving portion28 and contains a thermal transfer ribbon 12 which extends from a supplyspool 30 to a take up spool 32 within the cassette 11. The thermaltransfer ribbon 12 extends through the print zone 3 in overlap with theimage receiving tape 4. The cassette 11 has a recess 14 for receiving aprint head 16 of the tape printing device 1 and guide portions 34 and 36for guiding the thermal transfer ribbon 12 through the print zone 3. Theprint head 16 is movable between an operative position shown in FIG. 2,in which it is in contact with the platen 8 and holds the thermaltransfer ribbon 12 and the image receiving tape 4 in overlap between theprint head 16 and the platen 8 and in an inoperative position in whichit is moved away from the platen 8 to release the thermal transferribbon 12 and image receiving tape 4. In the operative position, theplaten 8 is rotated to cause the image receiving tape 12 to be drivenpast the print head 16 and the print head 16 is controlled to print animage on the image receiving tape 4 by thermal transfer of ink from theribbon 12.

The thermal print head 16 is shown in FIG. 4 and comprises a column ofprinting elements 120. The print head 16 has a height H which is largeenough to print on the widest width of tape. The print head 16 has awidth which is equal to the width of one printing element. Each of theprinting elements is activatable separately and is activated inaccordance with the desired image to be printed. An image can be printedwith the width of the characters extending along the length of the tape,or with the height of the characters extending along the length of thetape (vertical printing).

The tape printing device 1 has a lid (which is not shown) but which ishinged along the rear of the cassette receiving portions 26 and 28 andwhich covers both cassettes when in place.

A dc motor 7 (see FIG. 5) continuously drives the platen 8. The platenis arranged to drive the image receiving tape 4 through the print zone 3by the actuation of its own rotation.

The image is printed by the print head 16 on the image receiving tape ona column-by-column basis with the columns being adjacent one another inthe direction of movement of the tape 4.

FIG. 3 illustrates in plan view a cassette bay of a second printingdevice 1′ embodying the present invention which uses a one cassettesystem. It has its outer casing as depicted in FIG. 1 removed. Thecassette bay is shown by the dotted line 40. The cassette bay 40includes a thermal print head 16 and a platen 8 which cooperate todefine a print zone 3. The thermal print head 16 is the same as thatdiscussed in relation to FIG. 2 and shown in FIG. 4.

The print head 16 is pivotable about a pivot point so that it can bebrought into contact with the platen 8 for printing and moved away fromthe platen 8 to enable the cassette to be removed and replaced as in thefirst embodiment. A cassette inserted into the cassette bay 40 isdenoted generally by reference numeral 44. The cassette 44 holds asupply spool 46 of image receiving tape 4. The image receiving tape 4 isguided by a guide mechanism (which is not shown) through the cassette44, out of the cassette 44 through an outlet O past the print zone 3 toa cutting location C. The same cassette 44 also has an ink ribbon supplyspool 48 and an ink ribbon take up spool 50. The ink ribbon 12 is guidedfrom the ink ribbon supply spool 48 through the print zone 3 and takenup on the ink ribbon take up spool 50. As with the first embodiment, theimage receiving tape 4 passes in overlap with the ink ribbon 12 throughthe print zone 3 with its image receiving layer in contact with the inkribbon 12. The platen of this second embodiment is also driven by amotor 7. The motor rotates to drive the image receiving tape through theprint zone 3 continuously during printing. In either of the embodiments,it is possible that the tape be driven in a step wise manner by astepper motor.

An image is printed on the tape fed out from the print zone to thecutting location C which is provided at a location in a portion of thewall of the cassette 44 which is close to the print zone 3. The portionof the wall on the cassette 44 where the cutting location C is definedis denoted by reference 52. A slot 54 is defined in the wall portion 52and the image receiving tape 4 is fed past the print zone 3 to thecutting location C where it is supported by facing wall portions oneither side of the slot 54.

The second tape printing device 1′ includes a cutting mechanism 56including a cutter support member 58 which carries a blade 60. The blade60 cuts the image receiving tape 4 and then enters the slot 54. Itshould be appreciated that the first embodiment will usually alsoinclude a cutting mechanism.

Basic circuitry for controlling the tape printing device 1 of FIG. 2 orthe tape printing device 1′ of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 5. There is amicroprocessor chip 100 having a read only memory (ROM) 102, amicroprocessor 101 and random access memory capacity indicateddiagrammatically by RAM 104. The microprocessor chip 100 is connected toreceive label data input to it from a data input device such as keyboard106. The microprocessor chip 100 outputs data to drive display 108 via adisplay driver chip 109 to display a label to be printed (or a partthereof) and/or a message for the user. The display driver alternativelymay form part of the microprocessor chip. Additionally, themicroprocessor chip 100 also outputs data to drive the print head 16 sothat the label data is printed onto the image receiving tape to form alabel. Finally, the microprocessor chip 100 also controls the motor 7for driving the platen. The microprocessor chip 100 may also control thecutting mechanism 56 of FIG. 3 or a cutting mechanism of FIG. 2 to allowa length of tape to be cut off. In alternative embodiments at least partof the cutting mechanism may be manually operated.

The type of print head 16 with which embodiments of the presentinvention are concerned is shown in FIG. 4 and generally comprises aplurality of printing elements 120 which are selectively heated to allowthermal printing to take place. The thermal printing can be directlyonto thermally sensitive image receiving tape 4 or can be by means of anink ribbon 12 such as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3. Asdiscussed in relation to these embodiments, the ink ribbon 12 isarranged between the print head 16 and the image receiving tape 4. Theapplication of heat to the ink ribbon 12 by selected printing elements120 of the print head 16 causes an image to be transferred to the imagereceiving tape. Each printing element 120 is generally square to print asquare pixel on the image receiving tape. However, the printing elementsmay be rectangular or the like.

Each printing element 120 is a resistive element which, when current ispassed therethrough is heated up. The printing elements 120 areselectively heated so as to allow an image to be printed on the imagereceiving tape 4 as it passes the print head 16. The image printed onthe image receiving tape 4 is defined by a plurality of contiguous oradjacent columns of pixels. Thus the image printed on the imagereceiving tape 4 depends on which printing elements 120 are activated orheated and when. The image receiving tape 4 moves generally in thedirection of arrow A, that is in the length wise direction of the imagereceiving tape 4 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of theprint head 16.

The schematic representation of the print head shown in FIG. 4 hastwelve printing elements. In practice, the print head will have manymore printing elements, for example 128. The print head 16 willgenerally have a height H slightly less than the width of the imagereceiving tape 4 to be used with the tape printing device 2. Where morethan one width of tape is to be used with the tape printing device 2,the print head 16 will generally have a height H corresponding to thewidth of the largest image receiving tape 4 to be used with the tapeprinting device 12. Generally, the width W of the print head is equal tothe width w of one printing element 120 to thereby form a column shapedprint head 16.

FIG. 6 illustrates some of the control components of the printer asshown in FIG. 5. The sketched line 101 represents the print controller,and in this embodiment it is the microprocessor 101 which is depicted inFIG. 5, although it need not necessarily be a microprocessor. Thecircles within the controller 101 denote program components which arerun within it to implement different control functions as described inthe following. The controller 101 includes RAM 104. In practice, the RAM104 may be implemented on the same chip as the processor, or be providedas a separate chip connected to the controller 101. The blocks labelled200, 202, 204 represent portions of RAM 104. Block 200 is a menu displayportion, block 202 is an edit label memory portion and block 204 is alabel storage portion. In addition, the controller 101 contains or isassociated with ROM 102 which holds font data for the characters. Thestructure of ROM 102 will be described more fully below. The controller101 controls operations of the display 108 and supplies print data tothe print head 16. It receives inputs from the ROM 102 and the keyboard106.

The controller 101 runs a number of different programs to controloperations of the printer. A keyboard interface program P1 receives keypresses from the keyboard 106 and provides mapped key code data to a keycode processing program P2. The key code processing program P2 has anumber of different functions. Firstly, it receives the font data fromROM 102. It supplies menu-type data to a menu processing program P4depending on the menu which is selected by the function keys 76 of theprinter. It also supplies character data to an editor program P3depending on the characters selected by the character selection keys 78of the keyboard 106. It further supplies label store/recall functions toa label store/recall program P5. Finally, the key code processingprogram P2 supplies print request data to a print executive program P6.

The menu processing program P4 supplies menu result data to the editorprogram P3, and in certain circumstances is in communication with ROM102, as will be discussed below with reference to language selection. Italso supplies menu display data for storage in the RAM portion 200. Theeditor program P3 acts on the menu result data and character data toformulate and edit a label which is stored in a working portion of theRAM 104, the edit label memory portion, labelled 202 in FIG. 6. Thisworking portion 202 of the RAM 104 holds data defining the current labelwhich is being formulated and/or edited.

The label store/recall program P5 is operable responsive to store/recallfunctions supplied from the key code processing program P2 to transferlabel data between the working portion 202 of the RAM 104 and a storageportion (label store/recall portion) 204 of the RAM 104.

The print executive program P6 receives tape size information (discussedlater) in conjunction with print requests from the keyboard and controlsoperation of the print head 16 based on the label data which is held inthe working portion 202 of the RAM.

Finally, the controller 101 runs an LCD display executive program P7which manages data to be displayed on the display 108 based on thecontents of the menu display portion 200 of the RAM and the workingportion 202 of the RAM.

The printer can accommodate tapes having a plurality of differentwidths, in particular 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 19 mm and 24 mm. A switchallows a selection to be made between three settings, 6 mm; 9/12 mm;19/24 mm. The manner in which this switch cooperates with the printer isdescribed in our earlier European Patent EP634274 and therefore is notdiscussed further herein. In any event it will be appreciated that anymanner of conveying tape size information to the print executive programP6 may be used.

Label data is held in the working portion 202 of the RAM in differentdata structures as shown in FIG. 7. In particular, a text data structurelabel type (marked text in FIG. 7) holds text data regarding thecharacters and symbols etc. which have been selected for printing. Thetext data includes new page and new line information. An attribute datastructure page setting type (marked label in FIG. 7) holds attributeswith which the characters are to be printed, and effectively defines theformat of the label. In addition, the working portion 202 of the RAMcontains edit data including the position of a cursor as a file cursortype and display control information. At any time, label data and editdata for one label is held in the working portion 202 of the RAM.

The print executive program P6 generates print data for the print headas a sequence of columns of dot data based on the text data andattribute data. The edit data is not used for printing. The printexecutive program P6 does not formulate a complete dot pattern image ofthe label to be printed in RAM prior to printing. Instead, column datais prepared “on the fly”. Thus, the print executive program P6 extractstext data from the text data structure and attribute data from theattribute data structure and manipulates this data to generatesuccessive print columns. The print head 16 contains a buffer whichholds one column of dot data, while the print head 16 itself prints acolumn of dot data at a time. Thus, while the print head 16 is printingone column, the next column can be placed in the buffer ready forprinting. This technique is described in our earlier European PatentEP513290.

When a user is using the tape printing device to produce a label, thetape width must be selected from the choice described above. In thisembodiment, the example of the creation of label L1 will be used. Oncethe selection of tape width has been made, there are also a number ofpossible character sizes which may be selected. The display shows thecurrent character size. One of the function keys 76 can be pressed toselect a size menu. The cursor keys 74 can then be used to scroll downthe menu to select the required character size.

It is also possible for the user to select the length of label withwhich it is desired to print. In default mode (automatic length mode),there is no need to calculate this length, because it is dependent onthe number of characters in the longest line of text of the label (inlabel L1 this would be “FILE 126”) and the selected character size. Thismeans that the label will be printed with the selected characters andcharacter size using default character spacing, thus it is not aparameter which is actually controllable by the user. Alternatively, theuser can select a fixed length with which the label is to be printed, inother words “fixed length mode” can be selected. These options are morefully described in the applicant's co-pending European PatentApplication No. 01300555.8.

Once these choices have been made, the user can create label L1 bytyping in the characters using the character keys 78. Since label L1comprises uppercase letters, this can be achieved in one of two ways.Either the user can hold the shift key down whilst pressing the letterkeys 78 for each letter or the caps lock function key can be pressedbefore the letter keys 78 are pressed. If the caps lock function key ispressed once, any letter keys 78 pressed afterwards results inproduction of uppercase letters on the display 108. The caps lockfunction key is a toggle switch, therefore if it is pressed a secondtime, any letter keys 78 pressed afterwards results in production oflowercase letters on the display 108. The numbers “126” are enteredusing the three number keys “1”, “2” and “6”. Another of the functionkeys 76, the return key, is used after the third “E” of “ESSELTE” toallow the two lines of text to be created. Keyboard interface program P1receives the keyboard presses from keyboard 106 and provides mapped keycode data to the key code processing program P2. The key code processingprogram P2 supplies the character data to the editor program P3. Thecharacter size selection information is supplied from the menuprocessing program P4 to the editor program P3. The editor program P3uses the character data and character size information to formulate thelabel. This formulated text data, including the return key information,is put into the text data structure label type in the working portion202 of the RAM 104. Executive program P7 acts on the data in workingportion 202 and drives display driver 109 to display the data on display108.

In this embodiment the default language of the tape printer is English,although it would be possible to configure the printer to have adifferent default language. Thus if a user wishes to work in the Englishlanguage, he or she can simply carry out the process described in theprevious three paragraphs, to create many different labels. On the otherhand, if the user wishes to work in a different language from English,the tape printer of the embodiment provides the necessary means fordoing this, as will now be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, there is provided within keyboard 106 as oneof the function keys 76 a “language” key. If the user presses this key,a menu is displayed through which the user can scroll using cursor keys74 in order to choose the language in which it is desired to work. Itcan be seen that when the keycode processing program P5 receives asignal from the keyboard interface program P1 that the language has beenselected, it sends a signal to the menu processing program P4, which isthen able to ascertain which language has been selected. Menu processingprogram P4 then sends a notification to ROM 102 in the form of a pointerto a particular address within ROM 102, the address being dependent onthe language selected.

FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically some of the different addresses within ROM102. In the embodiment, ADDR 0 is for the English language and thepointer will point to this address by default. Similarly, ADDR 1 is forthe German language, ADDR 2 is for the Turkish language, ADDR 3 is forItalian and so on.

Each address of ROM 102 which specifies a language is associated with atable, also stored within ROM 102. These tables have stored all thepossible text characters of the alphabet of their language, pluspunctuation and number characters and any other codes or characterswhich are specific to that particular language. Font data is supplied tothe keycode processing program P5 from the appropriate table independence on the language selected by the user. In practice, thesetables would be stored as binary or ascii data, but tables 1 to 17 whichshow the characters as Latin letters and decimal numbers can be referredto for the purposes of understanding the structure of these tables.

Referring firstly to table 1, this is the table for the English languagewhich is associated with ADDR 0 of ROM 102. It can be seen that in thefirst column, the first 26 rows contain the 26 letters of the alphabetas uppercase letters and the second 26 rows contain the 26 letters ofthe alphabet as lowercase letters. The subsequent columns in these 52rows are empty, since the English language has no accented letters. Theremainder of the table contains punctuation, numbers 0-9 andabbreviations for the months of the year. When a user presses aparticular character key 78, the keycode processing program P2 accessescolumn 1 of the appropriate row of table 1 for the font data, so thatcharacter data can be generated. Whether the keycode processing programP2 accesses the uppercase or lowercase row for the particular characterkey pressed depends on whether the shift function key or the caps lockfunction key has been pressed to select uppercase.

Turning now to table 2, this is the table for the German language whichis associated with ADDR 1 of ROM 102. The first column of this table isidentical to that of table 1 for the English language. However, thesecond column contains some extra characters which are specific toGerman. These are Ä, Ö, Ü, ä, ö, β and ü. The Ä is stored in the samerow as uppercase A, the Ö is stored in the same row as uppercase O andthe β is stored in the same row as lowercase s, and so on.

If the user has selected German as the language to work in, as explainedpreviously, the pointer from the menu processing program P4 will pointto ADDR 1 ROM 102, which means that font data is obtained from table 2.If, for example, the user presses key “b”, font data from the firstcolumn and 28^(th) row will be obtained by the keycode processingprogram P2 and passed as character data to editor program P3, whichallows the letter “b” to be stored in the working portion edit labelmemory 202 of RAM 104 as part of the label being currently edited by theuser. Additionally, this data as it is stored in the display portion ofedit label memory 202 is acted on by display executive program P7 sothat the display driver 109 is driven to display the letter “b” on LCDdisplay 108.

If the user presses the key “u” in the normal way, the same processoccurs so that font data is obtained from the first column and 47^(th)row so that the letter “u” is displayed on LCD display 108. However, thetape printer of the embodiment is configured to allow the user to selectthe “ü” by maintaining activation of the key “u” for a longer timeperiod. After a first period, “u” is displayed on LCD display 108 butafter a second period, font data from the second column and 47^(th) rowis accessed by key code processing program P2, so that the letter “ü” isdisplayed on LCD display 108 in place of the originally displayed “u”.

Thus it can be understood that when a key is activated initially aparticular letter accesses the appropriate row in the first column oftable 1 and when the same key is maintained under activation, the letteraccesses the same row but the second column. In order for this processto work, the user must maintain the key “u” pressed for a predeterminedtime. In this embodiment, this predetermined time is 1 s, but it couldbe set at a different time. Thus if the user presses the key “u” for 2s, the initially displayed “u” will be overwritten on the display 108and replaced with “ü”. Thus the initial “u” is no longer part of thelabel being edited. The location within the edit label memory workingportion 202 of RAM 104 and hence the location on display 108 in which aletter entered by the user will be added is dependent on the position ofthe cursor. The cursor is controlled by the keycode processing programP2 so that it moves to the correct position on the basis of key pressesdetected. In this embodiment it takes the form of a flashing underlineunderneath the letter, but it could take other forms.

The initial predetermined time T1 can be different than the followingpredetermined time T2, as shown in FIG. 9, where KP denotes the initialkeypress and LR denotes commencement of repeat of the list

If the user maintains the key “u” pressed for 3 s, the display willrevert to a normal “u”. In other words, repeated pressing of the key “u”toggles between “u” and “ü”. The other letters provided with associatedaccented keys are operated in a similar way.

Thus it can be understood that an accented letter can be made part ofthe label under edit by using the same key and without the need for anyextra keys to be provided on keyboard 106. It can also be appreciatedthat at an initial key press, the appropriate row of the table isaccessed, but when the key press is maintained for a predetermined timeperiod, access occurs in the same row but a different column.

Once a user has created on the display the label which it is desired tobe printed, in order to print the label, a print key is pressed. Asdescribed above, the data of the label under edit as stored in editlabel memory 202 is acted on by the print executive program P6 in orderto produce data in a form suitable to be sent to the print head 16.Since printing is carried out on the data stored in edit label memory202, any characters which were scrolled through by the user, e.g. aninitial “u” which is subsequently overwritten by a “ü”, will not formpart of the data to be printed.

Turning now to table 3, this is the table for the Turkish language whichis associated with ADDR 2 of ROM 102. It can be seen that this tablealso contains the same basic letters in uppercase and lowercase in thefirst 52 rows of column 1, as well as some accented letters in column 2which are accented versions of the letters in the same row in column 1.These letters can be added to the label under edit in the same way asfor the accented German letters.

Referring now to table 4, this is the table for the Italian languagewhich is associated with ADDR 3 of ROM 102. It can be seen that thistable also contains the same basic letters in uppercase and lowercase inthe first 52 rows of column 1, as well as some accented letters incolumn 2 which are accented versions of the letters in the same row incolumn 1. However, this table further contains some different accentedletters in column 3. These only occur in rows which have a firstaccented letter in column 2 because column 3 is used for the seconddifferently-accented version of a particular letter. For example, incolumn 1, row 31 is stored a normal lowercase letter “e”. In column 2,row 31 is stored an “è” and in column 3, row 31 is stored an “é”. If theuser wishes to add a normal “e” to the label under edit, the key “e” isjust pressed once in the normal way. If it is desired to add an “è” tothe label under edit, the key “e” is maintained pressed, in a similarway as described with respect to accented German letters. If it isdesired to add an “é” to the label under edit, the key “e” is maintainedpressed for a still further time period. This causes the third column oftable 4 to be accessed by keycode processing program P2 so that theletter “é” replaces the letter “è” in edit label memory 102 and on LCDdisplay 108. The time period for maintaining activation of a single keyis the same as described with respect to German.

Again, continued activation of the “e” key toggles between the threeversions of that letter, so that each time the cursor remains stationaryand the previous version is overwritten in edit label memory 202 and ondisplay 108.

Referring to table 5 for the Swedish language, table 6 for the Latvianlanguage, table 7 for the Polish language, table 8 for the Lithuanianlanguage, table 9 for the Czech language and table 11 for the Slovakianlanguage, it can be seen that these tables differ in the particularletters which have equivalent accented letters, the type of accent andthe number of accented versions of a particular letter. For example,Lithuanian requires a {hacek over (Z)} in column 2 row 26, whereas,although Polish also requires accented versions of the letter Z, itrequires two which are different from {hacek over (Z)} (Ź and {dot over(Z)}). In other words, each table is tailored to the particular accentedversions of any letters of the alphabet which require them, and column 3is used if a particular letter requires more than one accented versionof the same letter. Each table is tailored to a particular language andis accessed by a pointer to a particular address in ROM 102.

It should be particularly noted with reference to table 10, for theNorwegian language that a diphthong letter is provided. This means thatif the user wishes to add “æ” to the label under edit, this can beachieved by maintaining the key “a” pressed for an extended period.

Turning now to table 12 for the Hungarian language, table 13 for theFinnish language and table 14 for the French language, it can be seenthat these languages require more than two accented versions of someletters. For example, with reference to table 12, Hungarian requires anormal letter “u” plus “ú”, “ü” and “ü”. Thus in column 1 row 41 isstored a normal “u” as for other languages, in column 2 row 41 is storeda “ú”, in column 3 row 47 is stored a “ü” and in column 4 row 47 isstored a “ü”. This means that the length of time it is necessary tomaintain activation of the key to add a particular version of the letter“u” to the label under edit depends on its storage column. Thus fourseconds are required for the “ü”.

It should also be noted with reference to table 14 that the Frenchlanguage also requires three different accented versions of the letter“u”. In this case, however, they are different from those of theHungarian language: “ú”, “û” and “ü”. Thus the tables have theflexibility to allow only the particular accented versions of a letterrequired by a particular country to be available.

In table 13 for the Finnish language, it should be noted that the letter“e” is set up to allow the word “euro” to appear in the label under editif the key “e” is maintained pressed for 2 s. This feature could beadded to any of the tables should this be considered desirable.Alternatively, the euro symbol could be available. Other words could beproduced in the same way.

In this description, the phrase “accented character” includes diphthongsand any words such as “euro”.

Table 15 shows the characters available for the Spanish and Portugueselanguages. Thus it can be appreciated that should any two languagesrequire exactly the same set of letters, memory space can be saved byonly storing one table for use when working in both languages. Thistable could be accessible by two pointers from the menu processingprogram P4 in dependence on whether the user selects Spanish orPortuguese. Alternatively, the language menu could only have a singlechoice for “Spanish/Portuguese”. It may be advantageous to have aseparate choice if other functions, for example spell checking, dependon the language being used.

Finally, it can be seen from tables 16 and 17 that Dutch and Danishrequire the largest numbers of accented characters of all the languagesshown in tables 1 to 17. For example, the letter “o” in Dutch requires 6accented characters and these are stored in columns 2 to 7 of row 15 oftable 16. In order to access the diphthong “œ” , the key of the letter“o” has to be pressed for 7 s. This is nevertheless a relatively quickprocess and does not require any complicated key sequences.

It should also be noted, with reference to the letter “a” that in bothDutch and Danish, six accented versions are required. In Dutch they are“ä”, “à”, “ä”, “â”, “ã” and “æ”. In Danish they are “à”, “á”, “â”, “ä”,“a” and “ã”. Although some of these letters are common to bothlanguages, they are placed in a different order along the columns. Thishighlights another important feature of the embodiment which is that allaccented characters of each language are stored in the order in whichthey are most commonly used in that language. This means that the morecommon the character, the shorter time needed to access it.

Regardless of the period required to select a particular character orthe number of times the user toggles through the selection of charactersfor a particular letter, the final one selected will be stored in editlabel memory 202, so it is only this finally selected character whichthe print executive program P6 acts on when the user chooses to print,rather than all intermediate characters.

By virtue of the ability to store and select from a number of tables ofcharacters in respect of a number of different languages, the describedembodiment allows the same machine with the same microprocessor andassociated memory chips to be supplied to users in different countries.Furthermore, if any given user wishes to write in a different languageother than his or her own, it is easy to access all the letters requiredfor the different language, simply by selecting it from the languagemenu. Alternatively, the pointer controlled by menu processing programP4 could be frozen on a particular language for machines to be sold in aparticular country, should this be required. The arrangement also allowsa standard keyboard having only the 26 letters of the alphabet forcharacter keys to be used for machines intended for sale and use in alarge number of countries.

Furthermore, the provision of a shift function key and a caps lockfunction key allows a label to be displayed and printed using eitheruppercase or lowercase letters or a mixture of both, by provision ofonly one or two extra keys. It is not absolutely necessary to provide ashift function key for the production of uppercase letters because thiscould be achieved solely by use of the caps lock function key. However ashift key may be desirable if it is intended to use any of the keys, forexample the number keys, to double as, for example, punctuation keys.

The invention is not limited to the particular selection of languagesdiscussed above. It would be equally possible to provide tablescontaining the accented versions of letters for other languages. Forexample, it is not necessary to store Roman letters in column 1. Insteadthey could be replaced by those of a different alphabet, for example theRussian alphabet to allow users to work in Russian.

Referring to FIG. 10, a character selection key has a principlecharacter, in this case the character “a”, and associated additionalcharacters, “á” and “ä”. When the character selection key is actuatedand released within the predetermined time t1, the principle characteris selected. The character is automatically confirmed and the cursor ismoved to the next position.

Additional characters associated with the principle character may beaccessed by a user, by keeping the character selection key pressed forthe predetermined time t1. After actuating the character selection key,the edit display 108 displays the principle character, “a”, at theposition of the cursor for the predetermined time t1. After thepredetermined time t1 has elapsed, the principle character is replacedby the first additional character, “á”, in the list of additionalcharacters associated with the principle character.

When the character selection key remains pressed, the edit display 108displays the second additional character, “ä”, after a predeterminedtime t2 has elapsed. This continues for as long as the characterselection key is pressed. When the last additional character in the listof additional characters associated with the principle character isreached, the last additional character is replaced by the principlecharacter after the predetermined time t2. If the character selectionkey is pressed for another predetermined time t2, then the principlecharacter is again replaced by the first additional character.

When the character selection key is released, the additional characterwhich is displayed at the moment of release is selected. The characteris automatically confirmed and the cursor is moved to the next position.

Referring to FIG. 11, the function of a character selection key may beswitched between a first mode of operation in which the key may be usedto select a principle character only and a second mode of operation inwhich the key may be used to select the principle character andadditional characters associated with the principle character.

When a character selection key, which has a principle character andassociated additional characters, is actuated, the principle characteris selected when the character selection key is released within thepredetermined time t1. In this case, the character is automaticallyconfirmed and the cursor is moved to the next position.

Additional characters associated with the principle character may beaccessed by a user, by keeping the character selection key pressed forthe predetermined time t1. After the character selection key is pressed,the edit display 108 displays the principle character at the position ofthe cursor for the predetermined time t1. When the predetermined time t1has elapsed, the principle character is replaced by the first additionalcharacter from the list of additional characters associated with theprinciple character. At this time, the function of the characterselection key is switched to the second mode of operation in which thekey may be used to select the principle character and additionalcharacters associated with the principle character.

When the key is released and actuated again, the first additionalcharacter is replaced by the second additional character. When the keyis released and actuated again, the second additional character isreplaced by the third additional character, and this continues until thelast additional character is reached. A subsequent actuation of thecharacter selection key replaces the last additional character with theprinciple character and another actuation replaces the principlecharacter with the first additional character again.

When the character selection key is released for a predetermined timet3, the displayed character is selected and the cursor moves to the nextposition. At this time, the function of the character selection keyautomatically resets to the first mode of operation for selectingprinciple characters only.

Alternatively, the predetermined time t3 starts at the moment ofactuation of the character selection key, i.e. at the moment thedisplayed character changes from the one character to the other. Ifafter the predetermined time t3 no subsequent actuation of the characterselection key is done, the displayed character is selected and thecursor moves to the next position.

Referring to FIG. 12, the function of the character selection key may beswitched between a first mode of operation in which only principlecharacters may be selected and a second mode of operation in which onlyadditional characters may be selected.

In one alternative embodiment, keeping the character selection keyactuated for a predetermined time t1, for example 1 second, switches thefunction of the key from selection of the principle character only toselection of principle and additional characters.

When a character selection key, which has a principle character andassociated additional characters, is actuated, the actuation of thecharacter selection key selects the principle character, if theactuation is released within the predetermined time t1. The character isautomatically confirmed and the cursor is moved to the next position.

The user can access additional characters, associated with the principlecharacter, by keeping the character selection key actuated for thepredetermined time t1. After actuating the character selection key, theedit display displays at the position of the cursor the principlecharacter for the predetermined time t1 and after the predetermined timet1 this principle character is replaced by the first additionalcharacter in the list of additional characters associated with theprinciple character.

The user can continue by keeping the key actuated to scroll through thedifferent characters or the user can scroll through the differentcharacters by successive actuation of the character selection key.

In the case of keeping the key actuated, when after the predeterminedtime t1 (1 second in the present embodiment) of actuation the firstadditional character is displayed, keeping the character selection keyactivated for a predetermined time t2, for example also 1 second, willreplace the displayed character by the second additional character,third additional character, . . . , last additional character, principlecharacter, first additional character and so on. In one modification,the principle character may not be available and so after the lastadditional character, the first additional character is displayed.

Releasing the character selection key for more than a predetermined timet4, for example one second, selects the displayed character and thecursor is moved to the next position. The function of the characterselection key is automatically reset to character selection only.

In the case of successive actuation, when after predetermined time t1(for example 1 second) of actuation the first additional character isdisplayed, successive actuation of the character selection key willreplace the displayed character by the second additional character,third additional character, . . . , last additional character, principlecharacter, first additional character and so on. In one modification,the principle character may not be available and so after the lastadditional character, the first additional character is displayed.

Releasing the character selection key for more than the predeterminedtime t3, one second in the present embodiment, selects the displayedcharacter and the cursor is moved to the next position. The function ofthe character selection key is automatically reset to characterselection only.

Alternatively, the time may be measured from the moment the displayedcharacter changes. If, from the moment of the character changes, for apredetermined time t5, for example 1 second, the character selection keyis released, which could be after a period of holding the key actuatedor after successive actuations, and is not actuated subsequently, thedisplayed character is selected and the cursor is moved to the nextposition. The function of the character selection key is automaticallyreset to character selection only.

It is mentioned that keeping the character selection key actuated toswitch between displayed characters and successive actuations to switchbetween displayed characters can be used in the same embodiment.Referring to FIG. 13, the user may switch to the function for theselection of principle and additional characters by keeping thecharacter selection key actuated for a predetermined time t1.Accordingly, the display switches from, for example, a to á. Releasingthe character selection key before the predetermined time t2 has elapsedand subsequent actuation of the character selection key before thepredetermined time t5 has elapsed, changes the displayed character, thedisplay changes for example from á to ä. Releasing the characterselection key again before the predetermined time t2 and subsequentactivation before the predetermined time t5 changes the displayedcharacter to the next additional character, and the display switchesfrom, for example, ä to â. If the character selection key now remainsactuated for the predetermined time t2, the displayed character changesand the display changes from, for example, â to æ. When the characterselection key is released before the predetermined time t2 has elapsedand is not actuated again, the displayed character is selected after thepredetermined time t5, where the predetermined time t5 is measured fromthe moment the character changes on the display. The cursor is thenmoved to the next position.

Releasing the character selection key and actuating any other key thanthe current character selection key, selects the displayed character andmoves the cursor to the next position. The function of the otheractuated key may or may not be activated.

In one preferred embodiment, using a display with at least two lines,this feature can be more user friendly. On the display, a number ofcharacters from the set of principle character and additional characterscan be displayed. This can for example be done on a second line orbottom line of a display. Alternatively it can be done on the top orfirst line of a display. Alternatively, this can be done in a separatepart of the display or on a separate display. The displayed character atthe position of the cursor in the display can be marked in the row ofcharacters and the user sees what the next character will be if he keepsthe character selection key activated or if he does another activationwhen the function of the key is switched to activation of additionalcharacters. The display could be arranged to show all the charactersassociated with a given key on the display. The cursor can move throughthe options as the associated key is pressed. The display mayalternatively only show the current option and the next available optionor a subset of all of the available options associated with a given key.

A front view of a third type of printer is depicted in FIG. 8, labelledgenerally with reference numeral 1″. This printer differs from printers1, 1′ in that it has a different keyboard 106′ and a different display108′. It can be used with either the two cassette system of FIG. 2 orthe one cassette system of FIG. 3 and can be controlled in a similarway.

In a different embodiment, the keyboard 106′ and display 108′ of thisprinter, or indeed the keyboard 106 and display 108 describedpreviously, could be used in an ink jet system. An ink jet printer andcontrol thereof is described in the applicant's granted patent EP0564297. It is possible to use an ink jet printer without an imagereceiving tape being present in the printer, but rather to use it as astamper. In this case, instead of using the edit label memory 202, datato be printed would be sent directly to a print buffer.

Keyboard 106′ differs from keyboard 106 in that it does not havenumerous character keys 78 but instead has a reverse scroll key 80, aforward scroll key 82 and an Enter key 84. The keys 80, 82 are used toscroll through the alphabet.

Display 108′ differs from display 108 in that it is merely afive-character display and it does not use a flashing underline as acursor. Features of display 108′ will be discussed in the following.

When the machine 1″ is switched on it will display the letter “a” in thefirst character space, as a default. Alternatively it could display thelast letter that was selected by the user before the printer wasswitched off previously, or some other letter as a default. If theforward scroll key 82 is then pressed, the display in the firstcharacter space changes to the letter “b”. If it is maintained pressed,it changes to the letter “c” and so on, so that with each time period,the display changes to the next letter in the alphabet. Similarly, ifthe reverse scroll key 80 is pressed, the display changes to theprevious letter in the alphabet. Thus the user can scroll through theentire alphabet using only the two keys 80, 82.

It would be possible to provide a display having a different number ofcharacter spaces or to display more than one letter under selection at atime and allow the user to know which letter they have scrolled to by adifferent means, for example a cursor.

If it is desired to select a letter to form part of a label under editor a word to be ink jet stamped, the scroll keys 80, 82 are maintainedpressed until the desired letter is visible on the display 108′. At thispoint the Enter key 84 is pressed. This causes the letter to flash. Ifthe user wants to add this letter to the label or word, the enter key 84is pressed again, in which case character data for this letter is storedin edit label memory 202, from where it can be displayed or printed, oralternatively sent directly to a print buffer. The letter “a” thenappears in the second character space on the display 108′, and cursorkeys 80, 82 can then be used to change this second letter.

Thus each time a letter is actually selected by the user (as opposed tomerely being visible as it is scrolled to), the selected letter isstored in memory or a print buffer and the letter “a” appears in thenext character space and can be edited. It would be possible to have adifferent letter or symbol etc. appear. If a word of more than fiveletters is written, the start of the word moves out of view, but isnevertheless printed if the user chooses to print. It would be possibleto only require one press of the Enter key 84 to select a letter.

The above-described procedure is suitable if the user is working in theEnglish language. However, if it is desired to work in a differentlanguage, this can be selected using scroll keys 80, 82. When theprinter 1″ is switched on, these keys can be used to scroll through anumber of different menus. One of these menus is a language menu and inorder to select the language in which the user wishes to work, the Enterkey 84 is pressed in order to take the user into this language menu. Thescroll keys 80, 82 can then be used to scroll through a number ofavailable languages, and the desired language can then be selected withEnter key 84. A pointer from the menu processing program P4 points tothe appropriate table stored in ROM 102 as previously described.

When working in a language other than English, the user is able toscroll through the letters of the alphabet using scroll keys 80, 82, inthe same way as described above with respect to English. This process isin fact a scroll up or down column 1 of the table for the languagechosen. At the first press of the Enter key 84, the display is set atthe letter which has been scrolled to. At this point, the user caneither press Enter key 84 to select the basic letter, or scroll keys 80,82 can be kept pressed to scroll through further columns of the tablealong the same row. For example, if the user is working in Danish, fontdata from table 17 will be used. If the user selects the letter “a” withscroll keys 80, 82, he or she will be at column 1 row 27 of table 17. Ifthe Enter key 84 is then pressed once, scroll keys 80, 82 cansubsequently be used to scroll along row 27 through the accentedcharacters “à”, “á”, “â”, “ä”, “a” and “ã”. If forward cursor key 80 ispressed, the cursor will move to these letters in the order in whichthey appear in the table. If reverse cursor key 82 is pressed, thecursor will move along them in the opposite order. This system allowsthe selection time to be minimised for the required character, forexample it would be more efficient to use reverse scroll key 80 ratherthan forward scroll key 82 if, for example the character “ã” isrequired. As the user scrolls through the accented characters, theyappear on the display in turn in place of the basic letter “a”. When thedisplay shows the character which is to be added to the label, the Enterkey 84 is pressed again and this adds that character to the label underedit such that it is stored in edit label memory 202, or alternativelythat character is sent directly to a print buffer.

As described before, once characters have actually been selected in themanner described, if the user wishes to print the label or word, onlythose characters which have been positively selected by two presses ofthe Enter key 84 will actually be printed.

Embodiments of the invention have made reference to keys. It should beappreciated that this term is intended to include touch screen or touchsensitive implementations providing equivalent functions.

Various embodiments of the invention have given examples of times. Theseare all by way of example and it will be clear to the man skilled in theart that alternative timings may be used.

All patents and/or patent applications mentioned above are herebyincorporated into the present application in their entirety for allpurposes.

The above-mentioned tables 1-17 now follow on pages 34-58. TABLE 1Country UK Additional local language characters in order of priorityLanguage Example A À Á Ä Ä English A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R ST U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i J k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y zPunctuation ? . : ; < · > ! 0-9 Symbols

TABLE 2 Country Germany Additional local language characters Lan- inorder of priority guage Example A À Á Ä Ä German A Ä B C D E F G H I J KL M N O Ö P Q R S T U Ü V W X Y Z a ä b c d e f g h i j k l m n o ö p qr s β t u ü v w x y z Punctuation ? . : ; ″ < >> ! 0-9 Symbols

TABLE 3 Country Turkey Additional local language characters in order ofpriority Language Example A À Á Ä Ä Turkish A B C {umlaut over (C)} D EF G {umlaut over (G)} H I Ï J K L M N O Ö P Q R S {umlaut over (S)} T UÜ V W X Y Z a b c {umlaut over (c)} d e f g {umlaut over (g)} h i ï j kl m n o ö p q r s {umlaut over (s)} t u ü v w x y z Punctuation ? . : ;< > ! 0-9 Symbols

TABLE 4 Country Italy Additional local language characters Lan- Examplein order of priority guage A À Á Ä Ä Italian A {dot over (A)} {dot over(A)} B C D E {dot over (E)} {dot over (E)} F G H I {dot over (I)} J K LM N O {dot over (O)} P Q R S T U {dot over (U)} V W X Y Z a {dot over(a)} b c d e {dot over (e)} {dot over (e)} f g h i {dot over (i)} j k lm n o {dot over (o)} p q r s t u {dot over (u)} v w x y z Punctu- ? . :; , <

″

ation ( ) > ! 0-9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Symbols * / # $ Ε % & \ = ∈

TABLE 5 Country Sweden Additional local language characters Language inorder priority Swedish Example A À Á Ä Ä A Á Ä B C D E F G H I J K L M NO Ö P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a {dot over (a)} ä b c d e f g h i j k l m n oö p q r s t u v w x y z Punctuation ? . : ; < > ! 0-9 Symbols

TABLE 6 Additional local language characters in order of priorityCountry Latvia Language Latvian Example A

A

B C D E

F G G H I

J K K L L M N N O P Q R S T U

V W X Y Z a

b c d e

f g

h i

j k k l l m n n o p q r s t u

v w x y z Punctuation ? . : ; < >

0-9 Symbols

TABLE 7 Country Poland Additional local language characters in order ofpriority Language Example A À Á Ä Ä Polish A {dot over (A)} B C {dotover (C)} D E {dot over (E)} F G H I J K L {dot over (L)} M N {dot over(N)} O {dot over (O)} P Q R S {dot over (S)} T U V W X Y Z {dot over(Z)} {dot over (Z)} a {dot over (a)} b c {dot over (c)} d e {dot over(e)} f g h i j k l {dot over (l)} m n {dot over (n)} o {dot over (o)} pq r s {dot over (s)} t u v w x y z {dot over (z)} {dot over (z)}

TABLE 8 Country Lithuania Additional local language characters in orderof priority Language Example A À Á Ä Ä Lithuanian A A B C {umlaut over(C)} D E {dot over (E)} E F G H I {dot over (I)} J K L M N O P Q R S{dot over (S)} T U U Ü V W X Y Z {umlaut over (Z)} a a b c {umlaut over(c)} d e e {dot over (e)} f g h i {dot over (i)} j k l m n o p q r s{umlaut over (s)} t u u ü v w x y z {umlaut over (z)} Punctuation ? . :; < > ! 0-9 Symbols

TABLE 9 Country: Czech Republic Additional local language charactersLanguage: in order of priority Czech Example A {dot over (A)} {dot over(A)} Ä Ä A {dot over (A)} B C {dot over (C)} D {dot over (D)} E {dotover (E)} Ë F G H I {dot over (I)} J K L M N {dot over (N)} O {dot over(O)} P Q R {dot over (R)} S {dot over (S)} T {dot over (T)} U {dot over(U)} Ü V W X Y {dot over (Y)} Z {dot over (Z)} a {dot over (a)} b c {dotover (c)} d {dot over (d)} e {dot over (e)} ë f g h i {dot over (i)} j kl m n {dot over (n)} o {dot over (o)} p q r {dot over (r)} s {dot over(s)} t {dot over (t)} u {dot over (u)} ü v w x y {dot over (y)} z {dotover (z)} Punctuation . , : ; ? − + = > < 0-5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Symbols @ & / % ( ) *

# \

TABLE 10 Country Norway Additional local language characters in order ofpriority Language Example A À Á {dot over (A)} Ä Norwegian A A

B C D E È É F G H I J K L M N O Ø P Q R S T U V W — X Y Z a {dot over(a)} æ b c d e è é f g h i j k l m n o ø p q r s t u v w x y zPunctuation ? . : ; < > ! 0-9 Symbols

TABLE 11 Country: Slovakia Additional local language Language:characters in order of priority Slovakian Example A {dot over (A)} {dotover (A)} Ä Ä A {dot over (A)} Ä B C {umlaut over (C)} D {umlaut over(D)} E {dot over (E)} F G H I I J K L {dot over (L)} L M N {dot over(N)} O {dot over (O)} {dot over (O)} P Q R {dot over (R)} S {dot over(S)} T {umlaut over (T)} U {dot over (U)} V W X Y {dot over (Y)} Z Z a{dot over (a)} b c

d

e

f g h i

j k l

m n

o {dot over (o)} ö p q r

s

t

u

v w x y

z

Punctuation . , : ! ? · +

> < 0-9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Symbols @ & / % ( )

# \

TABLE 12 Country Hungary Additional local language characters in orderof priority Language Hungarian Example A {dot over (A)} {dot over (A)} ÄÄ A {dot over (A)} B C D E É F G H I {dot over (I)} J K L M N O {dotover (O)} Ö Ö P Q R S T U {dot over (U)} Ü Ü V W X Y Z a á b c d e é f gh i i j k l m n o {dot over (o)} ö ö p q r s t u {dot over (u)} ü

v w x y z

TABLE 13 Country Finland Additional local language characters in orderof priority Lan- Example A {dot over (A)} {dot over (A)} Ä Ä guageFinnish A {dot over (A)} {dot over (A)} Ä B C D E {dot over (E)} “euro”F G H I J K L M N O Ö P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a ä {dot over (a)} ä b c d eé “euro” f g h i j k l m n o ö P q r s t u v w x y z Punctuation ? . : ;< > ! 0-9 Symbols @ & % = + − “euro”

TABLE 14 Country France Additional local language characters in order ofpriority Example A {dot over (A)} {dot over (A)} Ä Ä Language French A{dot over (A)} Ä B C ç D E {dot over (E)} {dot over (E)} {dot over (E)}Ë F G H I {dot over (I)} {dot over (I)} J K L M N O Ö P Q R S T U {dotover (U)} Ü Ü V W X Y Z a {dot over (a)} ä b c ç d e {dot over (e)} {dotover (e)} é ë f g h i {dot over (i)} ï j k l m n o ö p q r s t u {dotover (u)} {dot over (u)} ü v w x y z Punctuation ? . : ; < > ! 0-9Symbols

TABLE 15 Country Spain + Portugal Additional local language charactersLan- Example in order of priority guage Spanish + A {dot over (A)} {dotover (A)} Ä Ä Portuguese A {dot over (A)} {dot over (A)} Ä Ä B C C D E{dot over (E)} {dot over (E)} F G H I {dot over (I)} {dot over (I)} {dotover (I)} J K L M N {umlaut over (N)} (without this character theproduct can not be sold in spain (legal request)) O Ö Ö P Q R S T U {dotover (U)} Ü V W X Y Z a {dot over (a)}

ç d

f g h i {dot over (i)} {dot over (i)} ï j k l m n {dot over (n)} (legalrequest) o {dot over (o)} ö p

s t u {dot over (u)} ü v w x y z Punctu- ? . : ; < > ! ation ? . : ;

<

> ! 0-9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Symbols

$ & %

/ *

TABLE 16 Country Netherlands Additional local language characters inorder of priority Language Example A {dot over (A)} {dot over (A)} {dotover (A)} Ä Dutch A {dot over (A)} {dot over (A)} Ä Ä

B C C C D E {dot over (E)} {dot over (E)} Ë Ë F G H I Ï Ï J K L L M N

N O {dot over (O)} {dot over (O)} Ö O Ø OE P Q R S β T U {dot over (U)}{dot over (U)} Ü

V W X Y Z a {dot over (a)} {dot over (a)} ä ä ä æ b c ç d

e {dot over (e)} {dot over (e)} ë ë f g h i

ï j k l l m n {umlaut over (n)} o {dot over (o)} {dot over (o)} ö ö ø oep q r s β t

u {dot over (u)} {dot over (u)} ü {dot over (u)} v w x y z Punctuation ?. : ; . < ( ) > ! 0-9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Symbols

TABLE 17 Additional local language characters in order of priorityCountry Denmark Language Danish Example A

A

B

C

D

E

F G

H I

J K L M N

O

P

Q R

S

T

U

V W X Y

Z

a

b

c

d

e

f g

h i

j k l m n

o

p

q r

s

t

u

v w x y

z

Punctuation ? . : ; < >

0-9 Symbols

1. A printing device for printing labels comprising: a memory forstoring one or more character sets, each character set including atleast a principal character and an additional character which isassociated with the principal character; a user input having characterselection keys for selecting a character set to define an image to beprinted by the printing device; and a controller for accessingcharacters from the memory to be displayed and printed which correspondto characters selected at the user input; wherein actuation of acharacter selection key selects the principal character in the selectedcharacter set and maintaining activation of the character selection keyfor a predetermined time period allows selection of the associatedadditional character.
 2. A printing device according to claim 1, whereinmaintaining activation of the character selection key for apredetermined time period selects the associated additional character.3. A printing device according to claim 1, wherein further additionalcharacters are associated with the principal character and whereinsubsequent activation of the character selection key, after thecharacter selection key is released after said predetermined timeperiod, allows selection of said further additional characters.
 4. Aprinting device according to claim 2, wherein further additionalcharacters are associated with the principal character and maintainingactivation of the character selection key for further predetermined timeperiods selects the further additional characters.
 5. A printing deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a display configured to displayselected characters.
 6. A printing device according to claim 1, whereinthere is a single one of said character sets associated with each one ofsaid character selection keys.
 7. A printing device according to claim1, wherein the principal characters are letters and the additionalcharacter is an accented version of the letter with which it isassociated.
 8. A printing device according to claim 3, wherein thefurther additional characters are accented versions of the letter withwhich they are associated and are different from the additionalcharacter.
 9. A printing device according to claim 8, wherein differentcharacter sets comprise additional characters having different accentsand further additional characters having different accents, and adifferent number of further additional characters.
 10. A printing deviceaccording to claim 7, further comprising a caps lock key, wherein if thecaps lock key is activated, subsequent activation of one or morecharacter keys selects uppercase letters.
 11. A printing deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein the caps lock key is a toggle key suchthat if the caps lock key is activated again, subsequent activation ofone or more character keys selects lowercase letters.
 12. A printingdevice according to claim 7, further comprising a shift key, wherein ifthe shift key is held activated, subsequent activation of one or morecharacter keys selects uppercase letters.
 13. A printing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the memory stores a plurality of charactergroups, each character group comprising one or more character sets. 14.A printing device according to claim 13, wherein the principalcharacters of different groups are identical.
 15. A printing deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein the principal characters in differentgroups have additional characters and further additional charactersassociated with them which have different accents from those associatedwith the principal characters of other groups and different numbers offurther additional characters.
 16. A printing device according to claim13, wherein some principal characters of some groups have no additionalcharacter associated with them and these principal characters differbetween groups.
 17. A printing device according to claim 13, wherein thecharacter sets of each character group include an alphabet and theadditional characters and further additional characters are accentedversions of the principal characters which exist in the alphabet whichthe character sets include.
 18. A printing device according to claim 17,wherein each alphabet corresponds to a different language.
 19. Aprinting device according to claim 13, wherein the user input meansfurther comprises a group selection key for choosing a character groupfrom which to create an image.
 20. A printing device according to claim5, wherein the display is further configured, before the end of thepredetermined time period, to temporarily display the character whichwould be selected if the maintaining activation did not occur.
 21. Amethod of printing characters on a label comprising: storing in a memoryone or more character sets, each character set including at least aprincipal character and an additional character which is associated withthe principal character; using character selection keys, selecting acharacter set to define an image to be printed by the printing device;and accessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printedwhich correspond to characters selected; wherein actuation of acharacter selection key selects the principal character in the selectedcharacter set and maintaining activation of the character selection keyin a predetermined time frame selects the associated additionalcharacter.
 22. A printing device for printing labels comprising: amemory for storing one or more character sets, each character setincluding at least a principal character and an additional characterwhich is associated with the principal character; a user input havingcharacter selection keys for selecting a character set to define animage to be printed by the printing device; and a controller foraccessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printed whichcorrespond to characters selected at the user input; wherein a characterselection key has a first mode of operation in which said principalcharacter associated with said character selection key is selected and asecond mode of operation in which an additional character associatedwith the principal character can be selected.
 23. A device as claimed inclaim 22, wherein said second mode is entered by activation of saidcharacter selection key for a predetermined time.
 24. A device asclaimed in claim 22, wherein in said second mode only said at least oneadditional character are selectable.
 25. A device as claimed in claim22, wherein in said second mode, at least one additional character andsaid principal character are selectable.
 26. A device as claimed inclaim 22, wherein in said second mode a list of available characters isdisplayed.
 27. A device as claimed in claim 26, wherein said list ofavailable characters are displayed in turn.
 28. A device as claimed inclaim 27, wherein said list of available characters are displayed inturn if activation of said character selection key is maintained.
 29. Adevice as claimed in claim 27, wherein said list of available charactersare displayed in turn with the character displayed changing with eachactivation of said character selection key.
 30. A device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a display is provided, said display having a region inwhich a plurality of characters associated with said character selectionkey are displayed.
 31. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a displayis provided having an edit region for displaying the character currentlyavailable for selection resulting from said activation of said characterselection key and at least one other region for displaying at least oneother character associated with said character selection key.
 32. Adevice as claimed in claim 22, wherein a display is provided, saiddisplay having a region in which a plurality of characters associatedwith said character selection key are displayed.
 33. A device as claimedin claim 22, wherein a display is provided having an edit region fordisplaying the character currently available for selection resultingfrom said activation of said character selection key and at least oneother region for displaying at least one other character associated withsaid character selection key.